2010 midterm elections

3:25 pm

Mon October 18, 2010

Texas Land Commissioner Jokes About Shooting Opponent (Again)

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is a big advocate for gun rights (He helped write the state's concealed carry law.), and he likes to joke occasionally about "shooting" his political opponents.

Photo courtesy Jerry Patterson campaign website

Gun-toting incumbent land commish Jerry Patterson is once again having a laugh over the idea of shooting his political opponents. This time, the target is Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner, Hank Gilbert.

Jerry Patterson at an early voting GOP rally managed to jump from national politics into the acrimonious contest for Agriculture Commissioner, telling incumbent Todd Staples that if he were running against Democrat Hank Gilbert, "I think I would have shot him by now, if I was you."

Patterson later said he was joking, of course. But it's not the first time he made a ruse of attacking an opponent with the loaded firearm he carries at all times. Early in 2010, he joked about shooting his Democratic opponent for land commissioner, Hector Uribe.